Self-cleaning bag for vacuum-cleaners.



E. L. B. ZIMMBR.

SELF CLEANING BAG FOR VACUUM CLEANERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1914 Patented Jan. 12,1915.

ERNEST L. B. ZIMMER, 0F

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SELF-CLEANING BAG FOR VACUUM-CLEANERS.

Application filed March 23,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST L. B. ZIMME'R, a, citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county .of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Self-Cleaning Bags for Vacuum-Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dust bags for vacuum cleaners and the likg; and the objects are first, to provide a simple, durable, easily operated bag which is so constructed that it may be used inconnection with any type of vacuum apparatus using bags; and second, to provide automatically actuated means for vibrating the walls of the ba to prevent the dust from settling and cal ing on same.

The invention further consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure I is a perspective view, showlng the frame for the dust bag. Fig. 2 shows the. application of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, A indicates in general a frame which consists of a centrally disposed tube 2, a head 3., and a conical shaped spider frame 4. The lower surface of head 3 is provided with a dowhwardly turned flange 5, between which and the outer edge of the spider frame 4 a series of coil springs 6 are interposed. The spider frame, together with the head 3, may be.secured to the central tube 2 by being screwed into same, or in any other suitable manner, and similarly secured to the extreme lower end of the tube 2, is a funnel shaped member 7, the lower open end of which is cov- I ered with fine wire cloth, or like material, indicated at 8.

The lower surface of the spider frame is covered with a coarse screen, indicated at 9, and this frame, together with head 3, and connecting tube 2, serves the purpose of a frame, on the outside of which a suitable form of canvas bag 9 is secured. The coarse screen 9, together with the several coil springs, indicatedat 6, are provided for the/purpose of holding the bottom and sides of the bag in the extended position shown in Fig. 2. The operation and application of the device constructed as here shown will be p as follows B indicates a suitable form of tank, or

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915. 1914. Serial No. 825,635. 1

cylinder, into which the bag-supporting frame A may be inserted. The outer flange of head 3 may be bolted to the upper end of tank B, as indicated at 10, or may be other wise secured.

11 indicates a pipe which may be connected W1th a vacuum pump, not here shown. This pipe communicates with the central tube 2 within the bag frame. ,12 indicates a pipe to which the suction hose is attached, and 13 a suitable, form of opening through which the dust may be removed from the tank. The moment suction is applied tov pipe 11, it will immediately be transmitted through central tube 2, and the screened opening 8 secured on the lower end thereof. A vacuum will thus be produced with the bag, and this is in turn transmitted to the interior of the tank B and pipe 12. The dirt entering through the suction hose and pipe 12, when the apparatus is bein used, will thus enter the cylinder or tank and will consequently have a tendency to collect on the outer surface of bag 9. Any accumulation of dirt on the exterior of the bag is, however, prevented by the automatic action of spring coil 6. The slight pulsations transmitted through pipe 11 from the pump will have a tendency to continuously vibrate the coil springs 6, and this will in turn transmit the vibration to the surface of the dust bag, and prevent: any settling or caking of dust on the exterior surface of same. It sometimes happens that the canvas bags will crack or rip, for some reason or other, and the dust would then enter directly through pipe 11 into the pump, with consequent ruinous action. This danger is, however, eliminated in this instance, by providing the funnel shaped member 7, the lower surface of which is covered with a Wire cloth 8. The dust which would otherwise pass directly through tube 2- and pipe 11 to the pump, is in this instance, caught on the lower surface of the wire cloth 8, and the accumulation on said surface, as this is very small, will soon become sufficiently great to practically choke the pump. The operator will then immediately know. that something is wrong, and consequently, shut down for repairs.

' A dust bag, constructed and operated in the manner here shown is simple, durable and highly eflicient in action. It not only produces a largefiltering surface, with subsequent reduction of pull on the pump, but is also automatic and self-cleaning in action.

The'bag, with connected frame, can be used in connection with paint and Cement mills, or with various forms of vacuum cleaner systems now in use.

I wish it understood vthat various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims and that I do not wish to limit myself to the specific de sign and construction here shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters ent is:

1. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a bag frame consisting of a head and bottom section, a plurality of coil springs connected at their upper ends to the outer edge of the head section and at the lower ends to the outer edge of the bottom section, a dust bag covering the frame, the inner surface or sides of the bag being supported and heldin an extended position by the coil springs, and a centraltube passing through the head section and adapted to support the head and bottom a dust bag,a bag frame within the bag, said frame comprising a head to which the bag is secured, a downwardly extending tube secured to said head, a strainer secured on the lower end of said tube, a spider frame secured to the lower end of the tube, and a plurality of coil springs secured at their upper ends toithe head and at their lower ends to the spider frame.

4. An, apparatus of the character described, comprising a bag frame consisting of a connected head and bottom section having a plurality of coil springs connected at their upper ends to the outer edge of the 7 head section and at the lower ends to the outer edge of the bottom section, adust bag coverin {the frame, the inner surface or sides 0 the bag being supported and held in an extended position by the coil springs, a tank in which the bag and frame are mounted, and a connection formed on the head of the bag frame by which communication is made between the interior of the bag and a suction pump.

5. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a bag frame consisting of an upper and lower head, a standard on the ends of which the heads are secured and held in spaced relation, a plurality of coil springs connected at their upper ends to the outer edge of the upper head and at their lower ends to the outer edge of the lower head, and a dust bag covering the frame, the surface or sides of the bag being supported by the coil springs.

In testimony whereofl have hereunto set my-handin the presence of two subscribing witnesses. J

- ERNEST L. B. ZIMMER. Witnesses:

L. M. MCDOUGALL, H; G. JOHNSTON. 

